King's Balance, Hampi - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit
#18 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi
Distance (From Hampi Bus Station): 10 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 Mins or Less
Place Location: Near Vittala Temple
Transportation Options: Walk/Trek
Travel Tips: This is 1.5 km by walk from Hampi Bus Stand though motorable road distance is 10 km
At a distance of 10 km from Hampi Bus Stand (or 1.5 km by walk) and 6 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, King's Balance is located southwest of Vittala Temple, at the end of the Kampa Bhupa's Path in Hampi. It is one of the best places to visit in Hampi.
King's Balance is also called Tula Bhara or Tula Purushadana. It is regarded as one of the unique monuments of Hampi. It consists of two lofty carved granite pillars about 15 feet high supporting a stone beam about 12 feet in length. It has three hoops on the underside from which the balances or scales are hung. One of the pillars has a bas-relief depicting a king and two queens, possibly Krishna Deva Raya and his consorts. The structure appears like an archway.
According to the legend, the balance was used by the king to weigh himself with gold, gems, silver, and precious stones and distributed to the temple priests on certain occasions like Solar or Lunar eclipse, New Year's Day, Coronation day, etc.
